World no. 2 Alexander Zverev is off to a winning start in Melbourne. Last year's Australian Open semi-finalist defeated Lucas Pouille 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 in the first round in two hours and 21 minutes at Rod Laver Arena.
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Thus, the German secured his 102nd Major victory and the 26th in Melbourne. Alexander served at 73% and blasted 18 aces! He played well behind the first and second serve, defending two break points and mounting the pressure on the other side.
Lucas, another former semi-finalist, could not follow that pace. The Frenchman served at 55% and lost 35% of the points in his games. He defended 15 of 18 break points but experienced one break in each set to hit the exit door.
World no. 2 landed 40 winners and 29 unforced errors. Pouille built the lead in the most extended exchanges, but Zverev erased it in the mid-range and shortest ones. The German served well in the opener and challenged his rival to follow that pace.
Alexander clinched a break in the fifth game and generated three set points at 5-3. Lucas saved them and prolonged the set. The favorite served for the opener at 5-4 and fired a forehand winner after a deuce for 6-4 in46 minutes.
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The German kept everything under control in his games in the second set. He broke in the first game and made three more pushes on the return. Pouilleendured the challenges in games three, seven and nine, extending the battle and reducing the gap to 5-4.
Zverev painted an ace down the T line, holding at love and moving two sets to love in front after an hour and 31 minutes. Lucas saved three break points in the first game of the third set and earned his first break opportunity in the next one.
Alexander saved it and held for 1-1. They served well in the next four games, with the Frenchman staying in touch. The German made a push on the return in game seven and seized the third break point with a forced error.
World no. 2 saved a break point in the eighth game and held for 5-3. He served for the win in game ten and landed an ace to seal the deal in style and move into the second round.
